As of yesterday I'm finally a certified railroad freight conductor so in celebration I stopped out on my way home from work at the Tiki Bar to have one or two ice-cold and frosty adult beverages...
One or two turned into several and when I finally staggered in around 10 PM I was definitely not feeling any pain... A little later I have to walk over to the bar and get my truck who apparently got way more drunk than I and spent the night in the bar's parking lot. Luckily I live within walking distance to it...
Anyway, like I said I'm finally a marked-up freight conductor. Something that I've always wanted to do. I've been working a lot lately causing my lack of posts and starting in the next few weeks I'll be even busier. I haven't said it before but I'm working for a sugar company here in Florida that owns it's own railroad.
Once the harvest starts on the cane in two weeks I'll be working seven days a week and because of my low seniority I'll most probably be working the 11 PM to 7 AM shift, also I'll probably not have a day off until the end of the crop sometime in April. That's ok though because the money I'll be making will offset the long hours and if I handle it right I might make enough to have the entire summer off.
There's a few other options I have, along with the invaluable experience I received with Loram and Amtrac, the railroad experience here will give me enough operational experience to get a job with any railroad in the country. One railroad I'm really eyeing now is the Alaska Railroad, but I'm also eyeing the Union Pacific RR and the BNSF RR out in the Pacific Northwest. So for now I'm still a rolling stone but soon I'll be setting down some roots somewhere... Because everyone needs a place to call home.
My posts may become fewer, but I'll still take the time each week to make a post or two and I'll definitely be checking out all of my blogger-bud's blogs...
My last words on this is I'm happier now than I've ever been in my life and the bittersweet feeling I have now is I could have done this a lot sooner in my life if I had people around me who actually believed in me and would support what I wanted to do and not blow smoke up my ass... I've finally found that now.
Copyright 2006 Thomas J Wolfenden
7 comments:
So happy for you! Congrats on your life coming together the way you want.
One railroad I'm really eyeing now is the Alaska Railroad, but I'm also eyeing the Union Pacific RR and the BNSF RR out in the Pacific Northwest.
So I'm guessing that I'd have a hard time selling you a cheap surfboard?
P.S. Nice title. Ever thought of a job with the National Enquirer?
I'm glad you're finally happy or happier. It pays to go after those big dreams.
Tom, it is so nice to read about your great life as it is at the moment. Too many things these days are just doom, gloom and more drudgery. Thanks for sharing your good fortune with us in blah land.
PS The Pacific Northwest is gorgeous - as is Alaska I've heard.
I'm so glad you've finally achieved something you're happy with and proud of! Keep up the good work- and tell your truck to behave in the parking lot! :)
Take that, beeeeotch!!!
I'm proud for you, RT.
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